Balmain's #2, Olivier Rousteing, May Replace Christophe Decarnin

On the heels of the cryptic departure of Balmain creative director Christophe Decarnin, WWD reports that his replacement has likely already been chosen from within the house, and will be announced as early as next week.

"Olivier Rousteing, a key deputy of Christophe Decarnin at Balmain, is in pole position to assume the creative helm of the French fashion house, according to market sources. Balmain is zeroing in on a contract and could reveal Rousteing's appointment as early as next week," the paper says. "Sources describe Rousteing as a young and promising creative dynamo. He would be charged with leading a house that Decarnin made synonymous with audacious, ultrasexy and ultraexpensive fashions, but one that may have tapped out its bold-shouldered, rock 'n' roll esthetic."